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Topaz Labs, one of the leading companies in developing AI upscaling software, has launched Gigapixel Pro. Available both as a standalone application and as a plugin, it allows an increase in image resolution by up to 600% and is said to work two times faster than the standard Gigapixel version. Additionally, users can run the new AI upscaler from the command line. Let’s take a closer look at Topaz Lab Gigapixel Pro!
Although this application targets photographers and graphic designers as their main user groups, from time to time, we filmmakers also have to deal with still images. Over the last few years, upscaling apps based on deep-learning algorithms have become particularly helpful. Imagine you are working on a documentary edit that involves tons of archive pictures of poor quality. It would be nice to have a button to enhance them, right? A completely different case could be a 9:16 social media clip made out of photos that have to be animated in various ways. Artificial intelligence helps to enlarge your source images with only a minimal loss of quality and has already proven to work wonders.
Basically, the new Pro edition tackles the same tasks as its predecessor, only faster, with more precision, and with a few added features. So, Gigapixel Pro can enlarge digital images (both photos and computer-generated visuals) of all types by “6X upscale up to 32,000 px wide.” Topaz Labs uses machine learning to maintain the sharpness of upscaled images by filling in missing details with AI. Below are some “before-and-after” examples:
The biggest update though is the speed. According to Topaz Labs, Gigapixel Pro runs the job two times faster. On top of that, it includes the Command Line Interface feature (CLI in short), which “ensures seamless integration with existing software systems.” You can read more about it here.
Another big difference between the standard and the “Pro” version is that the latter is subscription-only. The included features vary from plan to plan, but a lot of them are tailored toward large studios. For instance, seat-management control allows multiple team members to upscale at once.
Gigapixel Pro is used by major studios, from games and graphics to commercial printing, satellite imagery and beyond.A quote from the product page
Gigapixel Pro is used by major studios, from games and graphics to commercial printing, satellite imagery and beyond.
The subscription model also means that you cannot buy the license for perpetual use, as you can with the standard Gigapixel version. Your Pro subscription will renew at the same price annually. Please be aware that studios with revenue over $1 million/year are required to get a new Pro license.
As for the cost factor, we already know that Topaz Labs’ products are not cheap. Although Gigapixel Pro offers different pricing models for individuals, teams, and enterprises, they are all quite expensive. Here is the overview:
Gigapixel Pro is available for purchase on the official page.
Another new product by Topaz Labs that you might find interesting is Video AI Pro, which is a similar upgrade to their standard video enhancement tool. The main highlight here is that Video AI Pro supports multiple GPUs, which increases the rendering speed up to 10 times (or allows for rendering multiple videos simultaneously). This “Pro” version is also available only as a subscription.
Do you use image (or/and video) upscalers often? What do you think about Topaz Labs Gigapixel Pro? In what cases would you consider getting a Pro license? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Feature image source: Topaz Labs.
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Mascha Deikova is a freelance director and writer based in Salzburg, Austria. She creates concepts for and works on commercials, music videos, corporate films, and documentaries. Mascha’s huge passion lies in exploring all the varieties of cinematic and narrative techniques to tell her stories.